Ice Queen - A Pirates Of The Caribbean Love Story

Chapter Fifteen

“So, are you still sulking?” Jack asked me.

I turned my back on him and held my body stiffly. “Go away, Sparrow. I think the less we see of each other, the better.”

He put his hand on my shoulder and twisted me back round to face him. He smiled, his gold teeth glittering. “Cathy, love… We’re square. You tried to trade me to them, I tried to do the same thing. So, can we form a truce? Friends?”

He held out his hand. I looked down at it. It was filthy and covered with all sorts of flashy rings. I took his hand gingerly and shook it. His fingers were warm as they touched mine. Was it my imagination, or did he hold my hand longer than he needed to?

“Friends,” I agreed, rather reluctantly. “And, I’m sorry, Jack.”

He shrugged. “Think nothing of it, love.”

We stood there, side by side, silently. Even though we were both really talkative people, we suddenly couldn’t think of anything to say!

Jack was looking at his compass. I was looking at him. Seeing every detail with startling clarity. Memorizing the way he smiled, so warmly, so invitingly. His eyelashes were so black, and ridiculously long. His skin, so brown and smooth. He smelt of rum and spices.

He must have felt my eyes on him, for he glanced up and looked at me. His smile widened.

“You can say you hate me, love, but we both know it’s not true, don’t we?” He inched closer.

“I’m sorry, Jack.” It took all my willpower to turn away from him. “I’ll be your friend, but nothing more. My heart’s already been broken once. I let my guard down once. Never again.”

“You can’t live life like that,” insisted Jack.

“Watch me. Once I get my cut of the treasure, I’m going to buy myself a ship and get myself some honest work.”

Jack took my hand and turned me round again. “Are you?” Suddenly, his lips were on mine and he was dipping me back, until I could feel my world spinning upside down. He was kissing me hungrily. I felt overcome by a delicious sense of weakness…

Until he dropped me. I went crashing to the floor, the breath knocked out of my body, staring up at him. He was looking out to sea. I glared at him, and got up, rubbing myself.

“What did you do that for?” I asked, crossly.

“That ship…” Jack said, pointing. I followed the direction of his gaze, and saw a greeny-coloured ship with tattered sails.

“What about it?” I demanded, still annoyed with him.

“That’s The Flying Dutchman,” he said, distantly. “Why is The Flying Dutchman here?”

“The Flying Dutchman?” I repeated. “I’ve never seen her up close before.”

“She’s captained by an old friend of mine,” Jack murmured, still more distantly. “Young William Turner.”

“Will Turner?” That name rang a bell. Then I remembered! “You thought I was his sister?”

“That’s the one.”

“So what’s he doing here?” I asked, suspiciously. “Is he after the treasure too?”

“Looks like it. He’s heading straight for the island… Barbossa!”

“Way ahead of ye, Sparrow!” My father was at the helm, telescope in hand, grinning wickedly. “My ship be the fastest in the Caribbean. I say we can outrun the whelp.” He winked at me. “Let’s go!”